Plastics News
Upcoming Industry Events:
ReFocus Sustainability & Recycling Summit 2022
Monday, May 23, 2022 – Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Plastics Industry Association
Cincinnati, Ohio
Current Trending Topics in the News with Links to Articles:
- Governmental and Lobbying:
House Democrats try again on pellet legislation
Congressional Democrats are trying again with legislation requiring much tougher rules on resin pellet discharge from plastics factories, reintroducing legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year but stalled in the Senate.
Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif., is bringing back legislation requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to quickly write new rules prohibiting discharge of pellets from manufacturing plants.
- Features and News Articles:
Report reveals ‘dirty climate secrets’ of PVC flooring
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/dirty-climate-secrets-pvc-flooring-revealed-report
A report by Oakland, Calif.-based Center for Environmental Health says vinyl flooring manufacturers release higher levels of carbon dioxide and toxic pollution than shown in their environmental product declarations (EPDs).
The report, “Flooring’s Dirty Climate Secret,” also says all PVC flooring sold in the United States — regardless of its origin — was produced using asbestos, mercury and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — toxic chemicals that many people thought have been phased out.
More resins see April price hikes, but not polyethylene
https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/resin-price-hikes-most-not-polyethylene
North American prices for PET bottle resin, polycarbonate and nylon were all up in April, the result of strong demand, supply chain issues and operating issues at some plants.
Polyethylene prices, meanwhile, were flat, but only after extended negotiations between buyers and sellers.
PET prices moved up an average of 2 cents in April, a result of strong seasonal demand. Prices already had been up 27 cents in the first three months of the year. The April hike also was affected by supply tightness and freight and logistics challenges.
Most resin buyers saw higher prices through the spring
https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/most-resin-buyers-saw-higher-prices-through-spring
North American commodity resin pricing was a mixed bag in April, with three materials up, one down and one flat. In addition, prices for engineering resins nylon 6, nylon 6/6 and polycarbonate all increased in April.
Polypropylene buyers were the only group to see a decrease, as prices dropped an average of 1 cent per pound, matching a similar change in price for polymer-grade propylene monomer.
Ford to use 20% recycled, renewable plastics by 2025
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/ford-using-20-recycled-renewable-plastics-2025
Ford Motor Co. is keeping plastics involved as it moves toward sustainability.
The Dearborn, Mich.-based auto giant wants to have 20 percent renewable and recycled plastics in its vehicles by 2025, technical expert Alper Kiziltas said May 25 at the Injection Molding & Design Expo in Detroit.
With 700 pounds of plastic in a midsized vehicle, that’s a big opportunity for sustainable materials. Increasing the amount of post-industrial and post-consumer recycled plastic and using bio-based content reduces exposure to commodity markets for virgin resin, Kiziltas said.
- Recycling
Kickstart: Recycling’s ‘guilt-free card’ isn’t working
https://www.plasticsnews.com/kickstart/recyclings-guilt-free-card-isnt-working
Single-use packaging and plastics took center stage at the GreenBiz Circularity conference this week, with concerns about the state of recycling topping the list.
Sustainability and marketing consultant Suzanne Shelton told the online portion of the event that the public sees recycling as its “guilt-free card” so we don’t have to feel bad about what we buy.
But here’s the problem, as Shelton lays out: With the public feeling that recycling’s not working, they’re uncomfortable, and companies need to help work on fixing recycling, making composting work at curbside and accelerating circularity and reuse.
High time to tackle recycling challenges
https://www.plasticsnews.com/blog/time-address-recycling-issues-high-quality-recyclates-consistent-input-streams-and-standards
Good quality recyclates, consistent input streams and standards are lacking
In the lead-up to K 2022, the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association, VDMA is conducting a series of interviews with leading businesspersons in the industry, under the title Way2K. Here, Prof. Dr. Hans-Josef Endres, head of the IKK Institute at Leibniz University of Hanover, explains what is needed for recycling to gain true momentum.
Plastics Recycling World Magazine
The May/June issue has not yet been published.
Upcoming Events:
Plastics Recycling World Expo Europe
June 14 – 15, 2022
Essen, Germany
For More Info and To Book A Stand: https://eu.plasticsrecyclingworldexpo.com/exhibit/become-an-exhibitor?utm_source=PRWMag&utm_medium=ExpromAd&utm_campaign=220221_E080_PA_BYS_Exhib_UK_Prospect_Exhibitors_PRW_mag
Plastics Recycling Technology
September 13 – 15, 2022
Austria Trend Hotel Savoyen
Vienna, Austria
Plastics Recycling World Expo
November 9 – 10, 2022
Cleveland, Ohio
For More Info and To Book a Booth: https://go.ami.international/expos-us-2022-exhibit/?utm_source=AMIMags&utm_medium=ExpromAd_DPS&utm_campaign=220120_E000_PA_BYS_Exhib_US_Prospect_Exhibitors_AMI_Mag_panel
